Former Acting DHS IG Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Defraud Government
Charles Edwards, a former Acting Inspector General (IG) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has pleaded guilty to federal charges relating to the theft of confidential government proprietary software and sensitive databases.
Edwards worked at DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) from February 2008 until December 2013, serving first as Deputy IG for a period of a few months before rising to Acting IG for the last two years. Federal prosecutors allege that between 2015 and 2017, Edwards colluded with former colleagues to steal access to sensitive software and databases containing personal identifying information of DHS and USPS employees. The theft enabled Delta Business Solutions— the company Edwards founded after leaving federal service— to develop an enhanced software system to sell a potentially streamlined product to government agencies and private enterprises.
A federal grand jury indicted Edwards on 16-counts in March 2020. Federal prosecutors accused Edwards of leveraging his relationship with DHS-OIG employees to steal the software and the sensitive government databases. The indictment also states Edwards attempted to sell the modified software to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) OIG.
This is not the first federal investigation into Edwards.
In June 2013, the Senate Subcommittee on Financial and Contracting Oversight began investigations into nine allegations against Edwards brought forth by dozens of whistleblowers. Allegations included:
Withholding crucial information from an investigation into Secret Service agents’ involvement with prostitutes during a Presidential trip;
Employing his wife in a U.S. government job within his own office and letting her telework for seven months while she was in India;
Using subordinates to aid in his Ph.D. work and dissertation;
Requiring members of his staff to drive him and his wife around on personal errands; and
Retaliating against employees who challenged his conduct.
Edwards responded to the investigation with a statement declaring the charges unfounded, prompting Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and former Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) to issue a subsequent letter expressing concern over the delay in receiving an adequate response from the IG and demanding cooperation.
In December 2013, Edwards resigned from his position as Acting IG just days before he was due to testify before the investigating subcommittee–he then found a new role at the Department's Office of Science and Technology. In April 2014, Edwards was placed on administrative leave following the release of the Subcommittee’s investigation report. After repeated pressure from Congress, Edwards left the Department in July 2014.
As for the charges pending, the Justice Department has not announced a sentencing date. After considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors, a federal district court judge will impose a sentence.